Visit Puerto Madryn, in the province of Chubut, is much more than witnessing the whale show.
For those coming from the fast pace of the city, the change is perceived as soon as they land: pure air, silence, sea, and wild fauna. The experience begins with a disconnection and becomes a deep reconnection with nature.
Snorkeling with sea lions: an adventure all year round
One of the most exciting activities is snorkeling with sea lions, available throughout the year.
In Punta Loma, a natural reserve located south of the city, you can observe these animals in their habitat: playful, agile, and curious, they swim among visitors with total naturalness. On the coast, adults compete for territory, while the younger ones skillfully dive into the water.
Southern right whales: protagonists of the season
Between June and December, the southern right whales arrive in the calm waters of Península Valdés to mate, give birth, and nurse their calves. These protected waters offer the ideal environment for the development of the calves, far from predators and intense waves.
Each whale has a unique pattern of callosities on its head, like a fingerprint, which allows for identification. The calves, when born, are darker and lighten over time. As mammals, they feed on milk, but they cannot suck: the mother expels the milk in the form of a thick jet, which the calf must quickly capture.
Boat watching in Península Valdés: World Heritage
Boat watching is the most sought-after experience for visitors. Departures are made from Punta Pirámides, within the Península Valdés Protected Natural Area, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Aboard authorized vessels, guides share fascinating facts: some whales can live over 100 years, and even exceed 130. Their anatomy reveals their evolutionary origin as mammals: within their pectoral fins, they have humerus, radius, ulna, and phalanges, like humans.
El Doradillo: watching from the coast, a unique experience
For those who prefer a quieter experience, El Doradillo offers a unique opportunity: watch whales from the shore, just a few meters from the coast.
It is one of the few places in the world where this is possible. People sit in silence, observe, relax. The show is intimate and moving.
MEF Trelew: world-class paleontology 65 km from Madryn
Just 65 kilometers from Puerto Madryn, in the city of Trelew, is the Egidio Feruglio Paleontological Museum (MEF), recently expanded after a decade of work. Today it is one of the most important museums in Latin America, with a collection that traces the evolution of life on Earth.
Among its attractions are:
- A full-scale replica of the Patagotitan mayorum, one of the world’s largest dinosaurs
- Fossils of giant marine reptiles
- A collection of pterodactyls, including the impressive Thanatosdrakon
